Leia just doesn't know what to think of Han...scoundrel? nice guy? So hard to be sure... ;)

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Hot, coarse gusts of sand obscured her vision, hazy bright from the twin suns, and that was all she could see past the thin, white fabric of her hood. Between the blinding blaze and the currents of blowing sand, she could see nothing, could hardly breathe through the swell.

There was no time for this. She needed to reach Obi Wan Kenobi. He had the little droid and he would know what to do. But, she was completely disoriented, could not see anything in any direction.

Panic seized her in its icy grip, weaving down her spine. She had to get out of this sandstorm, she had to make it to General Kenobi. What would happen if she didn't make it? Millions would die, their blood on her hands.

Hands held out in front of her, she forced herself to keep walking through the storm, eyes closed against the sand that spat in her face. She had to keep moving. Everything depended on it.

Was she going the right way? Fear clawed at her insides. What if it was the other way? What if she was walking in circles? There was no way of knowing! If only she could see!

She jumped, startled, when her hand suddenly touched something hard and metal. Her eyes opened reflexively but all she could see was blowing sand. Where was she? What had she found? Tentatively, she reached out again and found the object smooth to the touch. What was it? She couldn't tell. She needed to find General Kenobi, she was running out of time!

As she outlined the contours of the found object with her hand, she suddenly realized, it was a blaster! Dread skittered through her as she realized it was pointing at her. Was this friend or foe?

Suddenly, the blowing sand began to slow and dissipate before her eyes, and she saw white coalesce before her. Staring intently, she waited for recognition; when the sand was mostly gone, she staggered backwards, sharp panic flinging through her. No!

The hot glare of the sun sparkled and bounced off the white armor, blinding Leia for just a moment that caused her to squint in disbelief.

The Stormtrooper's blast rifle pointed at her threateningly and he stepped forward, hand jutting out and knocking Leia backwards to the sand. She scrambled back, sliding on her bottom, arms and feet scurrying furiously. Her back hit something solid and she was trapped, the Trooper towering over her fallen form.

A deep, growling voice came through the helmet's filter. "We have your droid."

A gasp escaped her lips and inside, Leia was crumbling. The plans! The Death Star plans! The Rebellion didn't stand a chance now! Worlds would be destroyed, lost, she had failed…failed miserably.

The twin suns grew hotter, almost unbearable and she smelled acrid smoke. Where was it coming from? Was Alderaan burning?

Poised above her, the Trooper's armor began to smolder, turning dark and burning to orange embers. Was he melting? Ash flew from his tall form and flames began to engulf him; Leia was frozen, unable to move, unable to flee.

The heat was excruciating, she felt as if her skin were burning off. An explosion above her and she shielded her eyes as they closed against the blinding rage of fire.

When she could see again, in the Trooper's place, smoking and smoldering was the towering form of Darth Vader, and stark terror clenched her stomach, knocking the breath from her.

Over his shoulder hovered a torture droid, a gray sphere, and it looked nothing like the torture droid used last time, it looked like a tiny Death Star, and it was humming, waiting to power up and fire upon Leia…

Jolting awake, Leia's breath was trapped in her throat and she was sure she would suffocate. For a long, drawn-out moment, she was certain she was on the Death Star, in that cold, empty cell. Then, her breath released in a furious rush that pitched a sharp pain in her lungs. A brief moment of disorientation later and she realized she was onboard the Millennium Falcon, safe.

She breathed in choking gasps, heart thumping wildly. When she felt that she was filmed in sweat, she threw back the blanket then began to shiver.

The room was too small, too alone, she needed to get out of here; it would be easier to breathe. On shaky legs, she stood, knees buckling slightly before she steadied herself. Arms clutched around herself, legs still wobbly, she left the cabin, uncertain of where she was going. Once in the corridor, she began wandering and found herself at the galley. Gulping down the lingering emotions of fright, she decided a cup of tea might be calming. It was what her mother always drank when she was upset.

A burst of sorrow heaped upon the pile of emotions warring inside her. She grabbed a mug with tremulous hands, filled it with water then placed it inside the heating unit. She breathed in long, calming breaths, trying to banish the dream that had brought on this whirlwind of emotions.

The heating unit beeped and Leia removed the mug, placed it on the counter, and began rummaging through the cabinets until she found a small box of tea leaves. As she dropped a small portion of leaves into the mug, she was startled by a voice.

"What're you doin' up?"

Leia jumped with a yelp, hands knocking the mug to the floor, the entire contents splashing all over the metal deck. Her hand flew to her chest as she fell back against the counter, heart pounding more swiftly than before. She felt as if it might bound from her chest.

She looked up to find Solo in the doorway, a repentant expression on his face.

"Geez, sorry, I didn't mean to scare the hell out of you." He came forward, eyes examining her face closely.

Her breath rasped harshly from her throat and she could form no words. The Captain bent down, picked up the metal mug, placed it on the counter then retrieved some towels from a cabinet.

Regaining some semblance of awareness, she moved to take the towels from him. "I'll do it." She was embarrassed to realize her voice was quivering noticeably.

His hands pulled the towels from her reach. "No, I got it. You sit down. You don't look so good." He gestured towards the nearest stool and remained still until she pulled herself up to sit.

As his arm moved the towels back and forth across the floor, wiping up the spilled tea, Leia's eyes were drawn to the muscles of his bare back. A small ripple splayed across them in time with his movements and the sight was comforting somehow.

When he had finished, he threw the towels in the recycler and turned to her, one hand on his hip, the other on the counter.

"Thank you," she said, her voice a bit steadier now, eyes on the floor. His feet were bare and they looked huge to her.

His voice seemed loud in the silence of night cycle. "No problem. It was my fault anyway. Sorry about that."

"It's okay," she answered quietly, eyes still averted. He stepped closer to her and she forced her eyes to meet his.

"Are you okay? I couldn't have scared you that bad." His eyes and tone seemed genuinely concerned. He glanced down at her shaking hands.

"I'm fine." This close, his face inches from hers, she was again struck by how handsome he was. His eyes were such a mixture of green and brown. She had never seen eyes like his before.

Seeming dissatisfied, he scanned her face. "What're you doin' up at this hour?"

She turned her head slightly to gaze at the counter top. "I don't sleep very much." She could feel his eyes on her and a faint warmth stole across her features.

He said nothing for a long, drawn-out moment in which Leia's anxiety fluttered deeply in her chest. Finally, he took the mug from the counter, walked to the basin to rinse it then filled it with water again. "I'll make you another cup."

Why was he being so nice? "You don't have to do that." And why did his kindness unnerve her so?

"Well, it's my fault you spilled it." He flashed her that lopsided smile. "It's only right."

Leia settled back and accepted it. She tried to rest her eyes on something else in the room but found them inexorably drawn back to him. His back was to her as he waited for the heating unit to finish boiling the water. She allowed her eyes to peruse his wide shoulders, his smooth skin. When he took the mug from the unit and turned to reach for the tea leaves, she quickly dropped her gaze.

He placed the steaming mug before her and crossed his arms at his chest.

"Thank you," she mumbled.

She took a sip, conscious of his eyes on her.

"What happened?" he asked suddenly. "Why're you so jumpy?"

She sighed internally. She would not admit to him that she had been so affected by a nightmare. "Nothing. You just startled me."

"Your hands are shaking. I couldn't have scared you that bad."

She was taken aback by the concern his voice held. She continued to sip her tea, stalling for a response.

"You have a nightmare or somethin'?"

Her eyes flew to his and she knew her reaction had betrayed her. How had he guessed? Unable to admit or deny it, she lowered her eyes to her mug and took another sip. The tea was having a calming effect. Or perhaps it was that she was not alone.

He tapped her on the arm as he moved past her towards the doorway. "C'mon." His head tossed towards the corridor.

Leia eyed him suspiciously.

A short bark of laughter erupted from him. "Don't look at me like that. C'mon." He held a hand out to her.

She was very reluctant to take it. She stared at his hand as if it were a dangerous predator then looked up at his eyes. They were patient and she saw no hint of an ulterior motive. With an inner sigh of resignation, she placed her hand in his, holding her mug in the other. He clasped her hand gently and led her to the cockpit.

Inside, he dropped her hand and gestured for her to sit in the co-pilot's chair. He sat in his chair and swung it to face her.

"This is where I go when I have stuff on my mind. Staring out at hyperspace can be kinda soothing." He swiveled to look out the viewport.

Leia was so surprised by this side of him that she remained still, watching him for a moment. His profile was more unguarded than she had ever seen, his eyes serene. Slowly, she turned to the viewport and sipped her tea. She gazed at the starlines streaming by. After a time, she realized that her nerves had calmed. Her heart was beating at a more normal rhythm, her hands had stilled, and her breathing was soft and regular.

She glanced over at him to find he was leaning back with his eyes closed. He looked surprisingly soft and boyish.

"Thank you, Captain," she said in a low, serious tone.

His eyes opened and his head turned in her direction. For a long moment, their gazes lingered together in unspoken exploration and Leia's breath caught before she was able to look away. When she looked back to him, he was smiling in his lopsided way.

"Wouldya call me Han already?"

Leia forced a small smile in response. "Okay. Han." His kind demeanor brought unbidden thoughts to mind. She recalled losing herself to his touch, the way he had banished all bad thoughts from her mind. That pull was there again, a hazy warmth, tempting her to seek solace in his arms, to forget again for just a little while.

But, she remembered just how maddening he could be. How he had tormented her with just a look every time their paths crossed. She wouldn't subject herself to such mockery again.

She turned things back to him. "Why are you up?"

"Haven't slept yet."

"How will you function tomorrow?"

He shrugged. "Same as always."

Now, she was irritated. Tomorrow would be important. He needed to stay sharp. Her gaze turned hard. "You have to be in good form tomorrow. You can't be tired."

He leaned in her direction, a smirk spreading across his features. "Oh, I'm in good form. You should remember just how good." He winked.

She felt the hot blush spread across her cheeks as her eyes dropped and her mouth pinched. Why? Why did he have to turn things on end and act like such an ass? Clearly, he had proven that he could be decent.

Before she could respond, his tone turned casual. "I figure a few hours of sleep and I should be in as good form as you."

She glanced his way to see if he was mocking her. His expression seemed harmless and she decided he wasn't. They sat in silence for a while, until Leia's curiosity got the best of her. "Why have you stayed with the Rebellion, Cap…um, Han?"

"I dunno."

Was that a trace of tension in his tone? "You couldn't wait to leave before the Death Star battle." When he didn't respond, she continued thoughtfully. "What made you come back?"

His glance in her direction was very brief, but filled with discomfort. "Seemed like a good idea at the time."

He was a master of vague statements. "You must have turned back for a reason."

He flashed that smug grin, which was becoming all too familiar. "Didn't want you to miss me, Sweetheart."

Her expression hardened and she turned back to the viewport. She hated when he called her that. It reminded her of that night. She took a sip of tea but it was cold.

With a stretch, Han rose from his chair. "Well, I'm gonna call it a night." He turned to Leia and her eyes rose reluctantly to meet his. "See you in a few hours." The crooked grin reappeared. "Don't miss me too much."

He spun to leave before she could respond. Her eyes shot daggers at his back.

Why was he like this? One minute, he was kind and caring; the next he was tormenting her with that knowing arrogance. She almost wished he would keep up the smug teasing. At least she would know what to expect from him. She could keep her guard up. But, he seemed to enjoy coaxing her to relax and feel at ease with him…only to change the game on her in an instant, returning to taunt her. Was this some game he was playing?

She realized suddenly how completely the nightmare had faded, as if it had never happened.

At least Solo was good for something.